Nipple, and toothpaste discharging toothbrush using same

ABSTRACT

A toothpaste discharging toothbrush is disclosed. Provided is a toothpaste discharging toothbrush comprising: a hollow handgrip portion; a piston provided in the handgrip portion; a pumping member which is coupled to the rear of the handgrip portion and pushes the piston forward; an extended portion which is coupled to the front end of the handgrip portion and has therein a transfer path communicating with the handgrip portion; an implantation portion which is coupled to the end of the extended portion and has, formed therein, a discharge port communicating with the transfer path; toothbrush bristles coupled to the implantation portion; and a nipple coupled to the discharge port, the nipple comprising: a nipple body portion which has an open bottom and is hollow and made of a flexible material; an upper plate member made of a flexible material and positioned at the top of the nipple body portion so as to cover same; and a cut portion formed in the upper plate member, wherein the structure of the upper plate member is such that the lower surface bulges downwardly from the center, and the thickness of the center part of the upper plate member is greater than that of the edge thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a toothpaste discharging toothbrush, and more particularly, to a toothpaste discharging toothbrush in which toothpaste is stored in a handgrip portion, and the toothpaste of the handgrip portion is discharged to toothbrush bristles only when a user brushes their teeth.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a toothbrush is used to brush teeth, and includes a handle provided with an implantation portion at the front end thereof and toothbrush bristles implanted in the implantation portion. A user puts a small amount of toothpaste on the top of the toothbrush bristles, puts the toothbrush bristles into their mouth, and brushes their teeth while moving the toothbrush bristles from side to side and from top to bottom. Since such a toothbrush is necessarily provided together with the toothpaste in order to brush the teeth, there is an inconvenience that the user needs to pack the toothbrush together with the toothpaste when the user goes out, particularly, when the user goes on a trip, as well as when the user stays at home. If the user does not pack the toothpaste, there is a problem that the user needs to newly purchase the toothpaste.

In order to solve the problems, the present applicant has invented Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0039140 (toothpaste discharging toothbrush). FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrams disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0039140.

As shown in FIG. 1 (perspective view) and FIG. 2 (sectional view), in the related art, a toothpaste storage 212 is provided at the front end of a hollow handgrip portion 210, a piston 400 is pushed forward using air in an air compressive room at the rear end thereof, and the toothpaste is discharged toward a nipple 500 through a transfer path 222. A pumping member 300 is coupled to the end of the handgrip portion 210, and air is pushed into the air compressive room.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, the nipple 500 is made of a flexible material, is hollow inside, and includes a nipple main body 310 having an open bottom, and an upper plate member 520 provided with a cut portion 511. The toothpaste discharged through the transfer path 222 causes the nipple 500 to be expanded, and the toothpaste is discharged through the cut portion 522 of the upper plate member 520 when the internal pressure of the nipple 500 is increased.

However, the cut portion 522 of the nipple 500 of the related art is opened by even a small internal pressure, and toothpaste is discharged to the outside. Accordingly, it is difficult to control the discharging of the toothpaste.

Ideally, even though the toothpaste is pressed into through the transfer path 222, the nipple 500 needs to store the toothpaste as much as possible, and needs to discharge the toothpaste toward an implantation portion 230 little by little when the cut portion 522 is deviated through the shaking, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 6, while brushing the teeth. However, in the structure of the nipple 500 of the related art, there are problems that the toothpaste is discharged through the cut portion 522 even through the internal pressure of the nipple 500 is slightly increased and the toothpaste is discharged through the cut portion 522 even after the teeth are brushed.

Therefore, there is a need for the improvement of a structure capable of allowing the nipple 500 to endure the internal pressure to the maximum.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention provides a nipple of which a cut portion is easily not opened even though the internal pressure of the nipple is increased, and a toothpaste discharging toothbrush using the same.

The present invention provides a nipple that maintains so as to be firmly coupled to a discharge port of an implantation portion even though the internal pressure of the nipple is increased, and a toothpaste discharging toothbrush using the same.

The present invention provides a toothpaste discharging toothbrush that is provided with a protrusion ring at an upper end of the nipple so as to allow a cut portion not to be cut anymore in a cut direction.

The present invention provides a toothpaste discharging toothbrush in which an extended portion and a handgrip portion are coupled so as to allow toothpaste to serve as a sealing member without a separate sealing member.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nipple including:

a nipple body portion that includes an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material;

an upper plate member that is positioned on the top of the nipple body portion, covers the top of the nipple body portion, and is made of a flexible material; and

a cut portion that is formed in the upper plate member.

the upper plate member has a structure in which a lower surface is downwardly convex toward a central portion, and

a thickness of the central portion of the upper plate member is greater than a thickness of a peripheral region.

Further,

a protruding rim may be formed in a peripheral region of an upper surface of the upper plate member.

Furthermore,

a lower wall of the nipple body portion may be thicker than an upper wall.

According to another aspect of the preset invention, there is provided a toothpaste discharging toothbrush including:

a hollow handgrip portion;

a piston that is provided in the handgrip portion;

a pumping member that is coupled to the rear of the handgrip portion, and pushes the piston forward;

an extended portion that is coupled to a front end of the handgrip portion, and includes a transfer path which is communicatively connected to the handgrip portion;

an implantation portion that is coupled to an end of the extended portion, and is provided with a discharge port which is communicatively connected to the transfer path;

toothbrush bristles that are coupled to the implantation portion; and

a nipple that is coupled to the discharge port,

the nipple includes:

a nipple body portion that includes an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material;

an upper plate member that is positioned on an upper part of the nipple body portion, covers the upper part of the nipple body portion, and is made of a flexible material; and

a cut portion that is formed on the upper plate member.

The upper plate member has a structure in which a lower surface is downwardly convex toward a central portion, and

a thickness of the central portion of the upper plate member is greater than a thickness of a peripheral region.

Moreover,

a protruding ring may be formed in a peripheral region of an upper surface of the upper plate member.

In addition,

a lower wall of the nipple body portion may be thicker than an upper wall.

Further,

the front end of the handgrip portion may be inserted into the extended portion,

a first protrusion ring, and a second protrusion ring that is positioned outside the first protrusion ring may be formed at the extended portion,

a third protrusion ring, and a fourth protrusion ring that is positioned in front of the third protrusion ring may be formed at the front end of the handgrip portion,

the first protrusion ring and the fourth protrusion ring may be firmly coupled, and the second protrusion ring and the third protrusion ring may be loosely coupled.

Effect of the Invention

As described above, the present invention provides a nipple of which a cut portion is easily not opened even though the internal pressure of the nipple is increased, and a toothpaste discharging toothbrush using the same.

The present invention provides a nipple that maintains so as to be firmly coupled to a discharge port of an implantation portion even though the internal pressure of the nipple is increased, and a toothpaste discharging toothbrush using the same.

The present invention provides a toothpaste discharging toothbrush that is provided with a protrusion ring at an upper end of the nipple so as to allow a cut portion not to be cut anymore in a cut direction.

The present invention provides a toothpaste discharging toothbrush in which an extended portion and a handgrip portion are coupled so as to allow toothpaste to serve as a sealing member without a separate sealing member.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the related art.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line a-a′ of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the related art.

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the related art.

“(a) of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a nipple according to the related art, and “(b)” is a longitudinal sectional view of the nipple.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal view showing an operational relationship of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the related art.

“(a)” to “(d)” of FIG. 6 are partial views showing an operational relationship of the nipple.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line b-b′ of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

“(a)” of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a nipple according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, “(b)” is a longitudinal sectional view of the nipple, and “(c)” is a longitudinal sectional view of the nipple when an internal pressure is expanded.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an operational relationship of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

“(a)” to “(d)” of FIG. 12 are partial enlarged views showing an operational relationship of the nipple.

BEST MODE

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is a nipple including:

a nipple body portion that includes an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material;

an upper plate member that is positioned on the top of the nipple body portion, covers the top of the nipple body portion, and is made of a flexible material; and

a cut portion that is formed in the upper plate member.

The upper plate member has a structure in which a lower surface is downwardly convex toward a central portion, and

a thickness of the central portion of the upper plate member is greater than a thickness of a peripheral region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and are provided to specifically describe the present invention so as to allow those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs to easily implement the present invention, but are not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line b-b′ of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is an exploded sectional view of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, (a) of FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a nipple according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, (b) of FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nipple according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, (c) of FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nipple when an internal pressure is expanded, FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an operational relationship of the toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and (a) to (d) of FIG. 12 are partial enlarged views showing an operational relationship of the nipple.

A toothpaste discharging toothbrush 1000 of the present embodiment includes a hollow handgrip portion 1210; a piston 1400 that is provided in the handgrip portion 1210; a pumping member 1300 that is coupled to the rear of the handgrip portion 1210, and pushes the piston 1400 forward using a pneumatic pressure; an extended portion 1220 that is coupled to the front end of the handgrip portion 1210, and includes a transfer path communicatively connected to the handgrip portion 1210; an implantation portion 1230 that is coupled to the end of the extended portion 1220, and is provided with a discharge port 1232 communicatively connected to the transfer path 1222; toothbrush bristles 1231 that are coupled to the implantation portion 1230; and a nipple 1500 that is coupled to the discharge port 1232 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

The handgrip portion 1210, the extended portion 1220, and the implantation portion 1230 may be collectively referred to as a body portion 1200. The body portion 1200 may be divided into several portions, or may be formed as a single portion.

The nipple 1500 includes a nipple body portion 1510 that has an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material; an upper plate member 1520 that is positioned on the top of the nipple body portion 1510, covers the top of the nipple body portion 1510, and is made of a flexible material; and a cut portion 1522 formed in the upper plate member 1520 (see FIG. 10).

The upper plate member 1520 has a structure in which a lower surface is convex downward. A thickness t1 of the central portion of the upper plate member 1520 is greater than a thickness t2 of the peripheral region thereof (see (b) of FIG. 10).

A protruding rim 1530 is formed in the peripheral region of an upper surface of the upper plate member 1520.

A lower wall 1511 of the nipple body portion 1510 is thicker than an upper wall 1512.

The handgrip portion 1210 is hollow inside. The handgrip portion 1210 may be formed through plastic injection.

A piston 1400 is guided and coupled to the inside of the handgrip portion 1210. A part of the handgrip portion 1210 which is positioned on the front side from the piston 1400 serves as a toothpaste storage 1212, and a part thereof which is positioned on the rear side serves as an air compressive room 1211. The piston 1400 presses the toothpaste stored in the toothpaste storage 1212, and thus, the toothpaste is moved toward the front side of the handgrip portion 1210 (see FIG. 8).

The pumping member 1300 is coupled to the rear side of the handgrip portion 1210. Air is pushed into the air compressive room 1211 by using the pumping member 1300, and thus, it is possible to increase the pneumatic pressure. The piston 1400 is pushed forward by using the pneumatic pressure.

The pumping member 1300 includes a housing 1310 coupled to the handgrip portion 1210, the pumping ball 1320 which is coupled to the housing 1310 and is made of a flexible material, and a valve 1330 which is coupled to the pumping ball 1320 and is positioned within the handgrip portion 1210. A pumping hole 1322 is formed in the pumping ball 1320. When the pumping hole 1322 is blocked and the pumping ball 1320 is pressed, the internal air of the pumping ball 1320 is introduced into the air compressive room 1211 through the valve 1330. The valve 1330 blocks the air from flowing backward. Accordingly, when the pumping ball 1320 is pressed, the pneumatic pressure of the air compressive room 1211 is increased, and the piston 1400 is moved forward (see FIG. 8).

The extended portion 1220 is coupled to the front end of the handgrip portion 1210. The transfer path 1222 is formed within the extended portion 1220, and the transfer path 1222 is communicatively connected to the inside of the handgrip portion 1210. Accordingly, the toothpaste of the toothpaste storage 1212 can be moved through the transfer path 1222.

A first protrusion ring 1223 and a second protrusion ring 1224 that is positioned on the outside of the first protrusion ring 1223 are formed on the inside of the extended portion 1220. A third protrusion ring 1213 and a fourth protrusion ring 1214 that is positioned in front of the third protrusion ring 1213 are formed at the front end of the handgrip portion 1210. When the extended portion 1220 and the handgrip portion 1210 are coupled, the first protrusion ring 1223 and the fourth protrusion ring 1214 are firmly coupled, and the second protrusion ring 1224 and the third protrusion ring 1213 are loosely coupled. Accordingly, the space between the first protrusion ring 1223 and the fourth protrusion ring 1214 is filled with the toothpaste, and is sealed due to the solidification of the toothpaste (see FIG. 8).

The implantation portion 1230 is coupled to the end of the extended portion 1220. The discharge port 1232 communicatively connected to the transfer path 1222 is formed in the implantation portion 1230. The toothbrush bristles 1231 are implanted in the implantation portion 1230.

The nipple 1500 is coupled to the discharge port 1232. The nipple 1500 includes the nipple body portion 1510 that has an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material; the upper plate member 1520 that is positioned on the top of the nipple body portion 1510, covers the top of the nipple body portion 1510, and is made of a flexible material; and the cut portion 1522 formed in the upper plate member 1520. The upper plate member 1520 has a structure in which the lower surface is convex downward. The thickness t1 of the central portion of the upper plate member 1520 is greater than the thickness t2 of the peripheral region thereof (see FIG. 10).

The toothpaste reaching the discharge port 1232 is ultimately supplied to the toothbrush bristles 1231 through the cut portion 1522 of the nipple 1500. Particularly, the toothpaste is automatically discharged to the cut portion 1522 when the nipple 1550 is stimulated through the brushing of teeth. This process is described by referring to FIG. 12. The nipple 1500 is filled with the toothpaste as usual, as shown in (a) of FIG. 12. In this case, when air is pushed into the air compressive room 1211 by using the pumping ball 1320, the piston 1400 is moved forward, and the toothpaste 1600 is supplied to the nipple 1500. In this case, in order to easily discharge the toothpaste when a user brushes their teeth, the nipple 1500 needs to store the toothpaste 1600 as much as possible without the cut portion 1522 being opened.

In the nipple of FIG. 4 of the related art, the cut portion is opened even though the internal pressure of the nipple is slightly increased, the toothpaste is discharged to the outside. There is a problem that even though the brushing of the teeth is ended, the toothpaste is discharged.

In the nipple 1500 of the present invention, the upper plate member 1520 has a structure in which the lower surface is convex downward, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10. The thickness t1 of the central portion of the upper plate member 1520 is greater than the thickness t2 of the peripheral region thereof. When the internal pressure of the nipple 1500 is increased (when the toothpaste is pushed), the shape shown in (c) of FIG. 10 is achieved. When the pressure is applied to the lower surface of the upper plate member 1520, the lower surface is flattened. In this case, the length of the section (straight line) of the flattened lower surface is less than the length of the lower surface (curved line) when the pressure is not applied. Accordingly, when the pressure is increased, the cut portion 1522 of the lower surface 1521 is rather closed. Meanwhile, the upper surface 1523 of the upper plate member 1520 maintains a straight line when there is no internal pressure, and is opened by being curved when the internal pressure is increased.

Consequently, as the internal pressure becomes higher, the lower surface 1521 of the upper plate member 1520 closes the cut portion 1522, and the toothpaste is not discharged to the outside even at a high internal pressure. The toothpaste that is not discharged is stored in the nipple body portion 1510 of the nipple 1500, and the nipple body portion 1510 is bulging. Since the nipple 1500 is made of a flexible material such as silicones, the nipple is used even though the internal pressure is increased to some extent.

Meanwhile, when the nipple 1500 is touched through the brushing of the teeth, the cut portion 1522 is deviated and is opened, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 12. In this case, a small amount of toothpaste 1600 is discharged through the opened cut portion 1522. High-pressure toothpaste 1600 is stored in the nipple 1500. Until the internal pressure of the nipple 1500 is cancelled, the toothpaste may be continuously discharged by the movement that stimulates the nipple 1500. According to an experiment, the user can brush their teeth five times by pumping the pumping ball 1320 once.

Particularly, since only a small amount of toothpaste is discharged through the nipple 1500, 2 g of toothpaste is consumed when the user brushes their teeth once. This amount is an international recommended allowance, and is helpful in improving tooth health and saving the toothpaste.

Meanwhile, the lower wall 1511 of the nipple body portion 1510 is thicker than the upper wall 1512. The lower wall 1511 is coupled to the discharge port 1232, and the discharge port 1232 has a short pipe shape. The lower wall 1511 of the nipple body portion 1510 is coupled while covering the outer periphery of the discharge port 1232. When the pressure of the toothpaste is transferred to the nipple 1500, the upper wall 1512 is thin and is expanded. However, it is preferable that the lower wall 1511 is not expanded in order to be coupled to the discharge port 1232 (see FIG. 10).

The protruding rim 1530 is formed in the peripheral region of the upper surface of the upper plate member 1520 of the nipple 1500. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cut portion 1522 from being additionally cut anymore in a cut direction.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, but is merely one embodiment, and is not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. The scopes equivalent to the present embodiment, and the scopes modified and added by those skilled in the art are incorporated in the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to the toothbrush industry. 

1. A nipple comprising: a nipple body portion that includes an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material; an upper plate member that is positioned on the top of the nipple body portion, covers the top of the nipple body portion, and is made of a flexible material; and a cut portion that is formed in the upper plate member, wherein the upper plate member has a structure in which a lower surface is downwardly convex toward a central portion, and a thickness of the central portion of the upper plate member is greater than a thickness of a peripheral region.
 2. The nipple according to claim 1, wherein a protruding rim is formed in a peripheral region of an upper surface of the upper plate member.
 3. The nipple according to claim 1, wherein a lower wall of the nipple body portion is thicker than an upper wall.
 4. A toothpaste discharging toothbrush comprising: a hollow handgrip portion; a piston that is provided in the handgrip portion; a pumping member that is coupled to the rear of the handgrip portion, and pushes the piston forward; an extended portion that is coupled to a front end of the handgrip portion, and includes a transfer path which is communicatively connected to the handgrip portion; an implantation portion that is coupled to an end of the extended portion, and is provided with a discharge port which is communicatively connected to the transfer path; toothbrush bristles that are coupled to the implantation portion; and a nipple that is coupled to the discharge port, wherein the nipple includes: a nipple body portion that includes an open bottom, is hollow inside, and is made of a flexible material; an upper plate member that is positioned on an upper part of the nipple body portion, covers the upper part of the nipple body portion, and is made of a flexible material; and a cut portion that is formed on the upper plate member, wherein the upper plate member has a structure in which a lower surface is downwardly convex toward a central portion, and wherein a thickness of the central portion of the upper plate member is greater than a thickness of a peripheral region.
 5. The toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein a protruding ring is formed in a peripheral region of an upper surface of the upper plate member.
 6. The toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein a lower wall of the nipple body portion is thicker than an upper wall.
 7. The toothpaste discharging toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein the front end of the handgrip portion is inserted into the extended portion, a first protrusion ring, and a second protrusion ring that is positioned outside the first protrusion ring are formed at the extended portion, a third protrusion ring, and a fourth protrusion ring that is positioned in front of the third protrusion ring are formed at the front end of the handgrip portion, the first protrusion ring and the fourth protrusion ring are firmly coupled, and the second protrusion ring and the third protrusion ring are loosely coupled. 